Entergy, NextEra Energy start construction on Arkansas solar project

NextEra Energy Resources and Entergy Arkansas have started construction on a new solar energy project in Arkansas – the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center.

Located about seven miles southeast of Stuttgart, the project will include an area of about 475 acres.

NextEra Energy Resources president and CEO Armando Pimentel said: “We are pleased to work with our partners at Entergy to bring low-cost, renewable energy to their customers and introduce the first universal solar project of this scale in Arkansas.

“This project will bring good jobs, tax benefits and affordable, renewable energy to the state for decades to come.”

Construction on the facility is expected to complete in nine months, following which, it will feature more than 350,000 photovoltaic solar panels to produce electricity from sun's energy.

The Stuttgart Solar Energy Center, which can generate 81 megawatts of electricity, will be developed by NextEra Energy’s affiliate.

The energy produced from this facility will be used to serve Entergy Arkansas customers under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Entergy Arkansas president and CEO Rick Riley said: “This project allows Entergy Arkansas to diversify our power generation in the state and provide our customers with access to emissions-free, renewable energy at a good price.

“In NextEra Energy Resources we have an experienced partner to build and operate a project that will deliver tremendous value to our customers.”

The project is expected to create nearly 250 jobs during the construction phase.

Throughout its operational life, the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center is expected to generate nearly $8m of additional revenue for Arkansas County.